Sewing machine type stepping foot trainer

ABSTRACT

A sewing machine type stepping foot trainer includes a base frame, a pivot frame pivotally mounted on the base frame, two spaced pedals mounted on the pivot frame to pivot with the pivot frame simultaneously, and a damping mechanism mounted between the base frame and the pivot frame to provide a damping effect to the pivot frame. Thus, the user&#39;s two feet step on the pedals to move the pedals simultaneously and to exert a force to overcome the damping force of the damping mechanism so as to exercise the muscle of the user&#39;s two feet and legs, thereby achieving the exercising effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stepping foot trainer and, moreparticularly, to a sewing machine type stepping foot trainer.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional mini stepper comprises a support base, two pedalspivotally mounted on the support base, and a damping mechanism mountedbetween the support base and each of the two pedals to provide a dampingeffect to each of the two pedals. Thus, a user's two feet step on thetwo pedals to move the two pedals upward and downward respectively so asto exercise the user's two feet. However, the exercising effect of theconventional mini stepper is limited.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a steppingfoot trainer, comprising a base frame, a pivot frame pivotally mountedon the base frame, and two spaced pedals mounted on the pivot frame topivot with the pivot frame simultaneously.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a sewingmachine type stepping foot trainer.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a stepping foottrainer, wherein the user's two feet step on the pedals to move thepedals simultaneously and to exert a force to overcome the damping forceof the hydraulic damping mechanism so as to exercise the muscle of theuser's two feet and legs, thereby achieving the exercising effect.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a steppingfoot trainer, wherein when the pivot frame is pivoted forward anddownward, the bumper is movable to abut the front section of the baseframe to provide a buffering effect to the pivot frame, and when thepivot frame is pivoted backward and downward, the catch rod is movableto abut the limit pin to prevent an excessive movement of the pivotframe, thereby providing a safety effect to the user when stepping thepedals.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a steppingfoot trainer, wherein the upright handlebar can be held by the user'sone hand to provide a balance effect to the user when stepping thepedals.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a steppingfoot trainer, wherein the handlebar is detachably mounted on the baseframe, thereby facilitating packaging, storage and transportation of thestepping foot trainer.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after a careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stepping foot trainer in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stepping foot trainer asshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the stepping foot trainer as shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the stepping foot trainer asshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic operational view of the stepping foot trainer asshown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a stepping foottrainer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a base frame 10, a pivot frame 20 pivotally mountedon the base frame 10, two spaced pedals 40 mounted on the pivot frame 20to pivot with the pivot frame 20 simultaneously, a hydraulic dampingmechanism 30 mounted between the base frame 10 and the pivot frame 20 toprovide a damping effect to the pivot frame 20, and an upright handlebar50 mounted on the base frame 10 to facilitate a user holding thehandlebar 50.

The base frame 10 has a substantially U-shaped configuration. The baseframe 10 has a front section having a side provided with a support tube16.

The pivot frame 20 has a substantially U-shaped configuration. The pivotframe 20 has a rear section formed with two transverse pivot holes 23.The pivot frame 20 has a plurality of upright bolt holes 21 for mountingthe two pedals 40 by a plurality of locking bolts 22. The bolt holes 21and the pivot holes 23 of the pivot frame 20 are formed in two side barsof the pivot frame 20.

The stepping foot trainer further comprises a transverse support seat 11mounted on a rear section of the base frame 10, two spaced pivot seats12 mounted on the support seat 11 for pivoting the pivot frame 20, twopivot bolts 25 each extended through a respective one of the pivot seats12 and a respective one of the pivot holes 23 of the pivot frame 20 sothat the rear section of the pivot frame 20 is pivotally mounted on thepivot seats 12, a transverse limit pin 14 mounted on a first one of thepivot seats 12, an upright catch rod 29 mounted on a bottom of the rearsection of the pivot frame 20 and movable to abut the limit pin 14 toprevent an excessive movement of the pivot frame 20, a magnet 122mounted on a side of the first one of the pivot seats 12, a magneticdetection member 28 mounted on the bottom of the rear section of thepivot frame 20 and movable to pass by the magnet. 122 to count a numberof pivot of the pivot frame 20, a first support bracket 15 mounted onthe support seat 11, a second support bracket 26 mounted on a frontsection of the pivot frame 20, and a bumper 27 mounted on a bottom ofthe front section of the pivot frame 20 and movable to abut the frontsection of the base frame 10 to provide a buffering effect to the pivotframe 20.

Each of the pivot holes 23 of the pivot frame 20 is provided with twospaced bushings 24 mounted on the respective pivot bolt 25. The firstone of the pivot seats 12 is formed with a plurality of transverselyarranged adjusting holes 13, and the limit pin 14 is adjustably mountedin either one of the adjusting holes 13 of the pivot seats 12 to adjusta backward inclined angle of the pivot frame 20. The support seat 11straddles two side rods of the base frame 10. The support seat 11 isformed with a substantially T-shaped recess 18 located between the pivotseats 12 to receive the first support bracket 15. The side of the firstone of the pivot seats 12 is formed with an outwardly extending ear 121for mounting the magnet 122. The second support bracket 26 is providedwith a mounting plate 261 for mounting an electronic indicator 60 whichis electrically connected to the magnetic detection member 28 toindicate the number of pivot of the pivot frame 20.

The hydraulic damping mechanism 30 includes a hydraulic cylinder 31having a distal end pivotally mounted on the first support bracket 15,and a movable rod 32 retractably mounted in the hydraulic cylinder 31and having a distal end pivotally mounted on the second support bracket26.

The handlebar 50 is detachably mounted on the base frame 10 and includesan outer tube 52 having a lower end detachably mounted on the supporttube 16 of the base frame 10 by a fastening bolt 17, and an inner tube51 retractably mounted in the outer tube 52 and fastened by a clampingmember 53.

In operation, referring to FIGS. 1-4, a user's two feet are placed ontothe pedals 40 and exert a force on the pedals 40 to overcome the dampingforce of the hydraulic damping mechanism 30 so as to drive the pivotframe 20 to pivot relative to the base frame 10 so that the pivot frame20 is pivoted forward and downward as shown in FIG. 3, or pivotedbackward and downward as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the user's two feetstepping the pedals 40 have to exert a force to overcome the dampingforce of the hydraulic damping mechanism 30 so as to exercise the muscleof the user's two feet and legs, thereby achieving the exercisingeffect.

When the pivot frame 20 is pivoted forward and downward as shown in FIG.3, the bumper 27 is movable to abut the front section of the base frame10 to provide a buffering effect to the pivot frame 20, and when thepivot frame 20 is pivoted backward and downward as shown in FIG. 4, thecatch rod 29 is movable to abut the limit pin 14 to prevent an excessivemovement of the pivot frame 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upright handlebar 50 can be held by the user'sone hand to provide a balance effect to the user when stepping thepedals 40.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the limit pin 14 is adjustably mounted ineither one of the adjusting holes 13 of the pivot seats 12 to adjust thebackward inclined angle of the pivot frame 20.

Accordingly, the user's two feet step on the pedals 40 to move thepedals 40 simultaneously and to exert a force to overcome the dampingforce ol the hydraulic damping mechanism 30 so as to exercise the muscleof the user's two feet and legs, thereby achieving the exercisingeffect. In addition, when the pivot frame 20 is pivoted forward anddownward, the bumper 27 is movable to abut the front section of the baseframe 10 to provide a buffering effect to the pivot frame 20, and whenthe pivot frame 20 is pivoted backward and downward, the catch rod 29 ismovable to abut the limit pin 14 to prevent an excessive movement of thepivot frame 20, thereby providing a safety effect to the user whenstepping the pedals 40. Further, the upright handlebar 50 can be held bythe user's one hand to provide a balance effect to the user whenstepping the pedals 40. Further, the handlebar 50 is detachably mountedon the base frame 10, thereby facilitating packaging, storage andtransportation of the stepping foot trainer.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many otherpossible modifications and variations can be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated thatthe appended claim or claims will cover such modifications andvariations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

1. A stepping foot trainer, comprising: a base frame; a pivot framepivotally mounted on the base frame; two spaced pedals mounted on thepivot frame to pivot with the pivot frame simultaneously.
 2. Thestepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 1, further comprising atransverse support seat mounted on a rear section of the base frame. 3.The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 2, further comprisingtwo spaced pivot seats mounted on the support seat for pivoting thepivot frame.
 4. The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 3,wherein the pivot frame has a rear section formed with two transversepivot holes, and the stepping foot trainer further comprises two pivotbolts each extended through a respective one of the pivot seats and arespective one of the pivot holes of the pivot frame so that the rearsection of the pivot frame is pivotally mounted on the pivot seats. 5.The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 3, further comprisinga transverse limit pin mounted on one of the pivot seats, and an uprightcatch rod mounted on a bottom of a rear section of the pivot frame andmovable to abut the limit pin to prevent an excessive movement of thepivot frame.
 6. The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 3,further comprising a magnet mounted on a side of one of the pivot seats,and a magnetic detection member mounted on a bottom of a rear section ofthe pivot frame and movable to pass by the magnet to count a number ofpivot of the pivot frame.
 7. The stepping foot trainer in accordancewith claim 6, wherein the side of the one of the pivot seats is formedwith an outwardly extending ear for mounting the magnet.
 8. The steppingfoot trainer in accordance with claim 6, further comprising a hydraulicdamping mechanism mounted between the base frame and the pivot frame toprovide a damping effect to the pivot frame.
 9. The stepping foottrainer in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a first supportbracket mounted on the support seat, and a second support bracketmounted on a front section of the pivot frame, wherein the hydraulicdamping mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder having a distal endpivotally mounted on the first support bracket, and a movable rodretractably mounted in the hydraulic cylinder and having a distal endpivotally mounted on the second support bracket.
 10. The stepping foottrainer in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a bumper mountedon a bottom of a front section of the pivot frame and movable to abut afront section of the base frame to provide a buffering effect to thepivot frame.
 11. The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 4,wherein each of the pivot holes of the pivot frame is provided with twospaced bushings mounted on the respective pivot bolt.
 12. The steppingfoot trainer in accordance with claim 5, wherein the one of the pivotseats is formed with a plurality of transversely arranged adjustingholes, and the limit pin is adjustably mounted in either one of theadjusting holes of the pivot seats to adjust a backward inclined angleof the pivot frame.
 13. The stepping foot trainer in accordance withclaim 2, wherein the support seat straddles two side rods of the baseframe.
 14. The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 9, whereinthe support seat is formed with a recess to receive the first supportbracket.
 15. The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 14,wherein the recess of the support seat is substantially T-shaped. 16.The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 9, wherein the secondsupport bracket is provided with a mounting plate for mounting anelectronic indicator which is electrically connected to the magneticdetection member to indicate the number of pivot of the pivot frame. 17.The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 1, further comprisingan upright handlebar mounted on the base frame to facilitate a userholding the handlebar.
 18. The stepping foot trainer in accordance withclaim 17, wherein the base frame has a front section having a sideprovided with a support tube, and the handlebar is detachably mounted onthe base frame and includes an outer tube having a lower end detachablymounted on the support tube of the base frame by a fastening bolt, andan inner tube retractably mounted in the outer tube and fastened by aclamping member.
 19. The stepping foot trainer in accordance with claim1, wherein the pivot frame has a plurality of upright bolt holes formounting the two pedals by a plurality of locking bolts.
 20. Thestepping foot trainer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pivotframe has a substantially U-shaped configuration, and the base frame hasa substantially U-shaped configuration.